Self-irrigating smart soil boosts plants
Agriculture & Energy
Could this system reduce the enormous water footprint of modern farming?
Spotted: Agriculture is responsible for an astonishing 70 per cent of the world’s freshwater consumption, and in some developing countries, this figure can reach up to 95 per cent. Achieving sustainable food production, therefore, means efficient water management. Now, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a smart soil system that grows larger, healthier plants while using less water and fertiliser.
The team has created a self-irrigating hydrogel that helps plants grow by providing controlled water and nutrient delivery. This innovative gel absorbs water vapour at night and releases it during the day, aided by calcium chloride for better absorption and slow nutrient release. In experiments, plants using this hydrogel grew stems 138 per cent longer and used about 40 per cent less water compared to those in regular soil.
According to research leader and graduate student in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering Jungjoon Park, because the technology is extremely versatile, it is suitable for use in a variety of climates. Plus, using the hydrogel means growers can save the time and energy they would ordinarily spend on frequent watering and fertilisation.
The research expands on earlier discoveries that make farming more efficient by extracting water from the air. The work is ongoing, with the researchers aiming to integrate various fertilisers and conduct longer field tests in the future.
Written By: Georgia King
6th August 2024
Website: utexas.edu
Contact: utexas.edu/contact-us
